LOS ANGELES —"Star Search"judgeSarah Michelle Gellardoes not throw around top scores willy-nilly onNetflix's rebooted talent competition.
While fellow judgesJelly RollandChrissy Teigenstarted tossing out perfect five-star marks judging the live show that premiered Jan. 20, the"Cruel Intentions"star, 48, held out.
"I don't take five stars lightly. I waited to give that five-star," Gellar tells USA TODAY. "I actually felt badly because both other judges had given fives and I hadn't. It was like 'Am I just the mean judge?'"
Gellar didn't set aSimon Cowell-esque streakon "Star Search," which streams live Tuesdays and Wednesdays (9 ET/6 PT) through the Feb. 17 finale.
'Star Search' revival is hereHow to watch, vote. See judges, cast.
The "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" actress bestowed her first five-star rating to the last performer on the Jan. 21 Episode 2 — singer Bear Bailey, whose version of "Hard Fought Hallelujah" brought Jelly Roll (the song's co-writer) to tears.
"When Bear came on stage, I was like, 'That's why I waited!' Because that was a five-star performance," says Gellar. "That performance was the first one that I'd seen this season where I was like, 'Oh, he's ready to win this right now.'"
Bear was eliminated in Episode 4, but Gellar can rely on decades of "Star Search" experience to spot talent. She was a diehard fan of the OG "Star Search," famously hosted by Ed McMahon, during the syndicated show's run from 1983 to 1995 that featured young up-and-coming stars like Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake.
"Britney Spears, I always remember for some reason. I could always pinpoint her look, the song. But there were so many, like the comedians that I wasn't supposed to watch," says Gellar, who didn't even know her good friend and"All My Children"co-star Lindsay Price also appeared on "Star Search" until researching the show.
"And I was watching the acting category the other day, and there was a contestant namedMitzi Kapture,who was later on 'Silk Stockings,'" says Gellar. "There are people that you don't even realize were on the show."
How Sarah Michelle Gellar was nearly on the original 'Star Search'
Not Gellar, however. The child actress who starred in 1980s Burger King commercials auditioned unsuccessfully for the TV talent show.
"In the original 'Star Search,' there was an acting category where they'd have two performers start the scene, and then two performers end the scene," says Gellar. "I think I was five. But I'd been working for a while by then. And alas, I didn't make it."
The Emmy-nominated star of "Euphoria" and "The White Lotus," Sydney Sweeney, has made a name for herself in prestige television, on silver screens in horror flicks or romantic comedies and as a fashion darling on red carpets like the Met Gala. Scroll through for more photos of her life and career. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Sydney Sweeney attends a Refinery29 event on Dec. 6, 2017, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney starred as Emaline on the Netflix series "Everything Sucks!" in 2018." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends the premiere of Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale" Season 2 at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 19, 2018, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney played Eden in the second season of "The Handmaid's Tale" on Hulu." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on Sept. 17, 2018, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jonathan Davino, left, and Sydney Sweeney attend an InStyle event on Oct. 23, 2018, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Harry Shum Jr. and Sydney Sweeney walk the red carpet at the 25th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Jan. 27, 2019." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends The 2020 InStyle And Warner Bros. 77th annual Golden Globe Awards Post-Party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 5, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney received an Emmy nomination in 2022 for her part in the first season of HBO's "The White Lotus."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends an InStyle event on Nov. 14, 2021, in West Hollywood, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney was nominated for an Emmy in 2022 for her role as Cassie on the HBO series "Euphoria."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 94th Oscars at the The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California, on March 27, 2022." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends the 2022 Met Gala." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Maude Apatow and Sydney Sweeney attend the "Bones and All" red carpet at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on Sept. 2, 2022, in Venice, Italy." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends ELLE's 29th annual Women in Hollywood celebration on Oct. 17, 2022, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends the 2022 LACMA ART+FILM Gala on Nov. 05, 2022, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends the GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2022 on Nov. 16, 2022, in London." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends the 2023 Met Gala." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends a screening of HBO Films' "Reality" at Museum of Modern Art on May 16, 2023, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney and Aja Naomi King attend a Miu Miu event during the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2023, in Cannes, France." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends Variety Power of Young Hollywood at NeueHouse on Aug. 10, 2023, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney and her cousin Lucille Hancock attend the Miu Miu fashion show as part of Paris Fashion Week on Oct. 3, 2023, in Paris, France." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends Columbia Pictures' "Anyone But You" New York Premiere on Dec. 11, 2023, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Glen Powell, left, and Sydney Sweeney in the 2023 film "Anyone But You."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends the screening of "Anyone But You" at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter on Dec. 18, 2023, in Sydney, Australia." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney greets fans at the screening of "Anyone But You" at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter on Dec. 18, 2023, in Sydney, Australia." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney attend the World Premiere of Sony Pictures' "Madame Web" on Feb. 12, 2024, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends the 35th GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton on March 14, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends the premiere of Neon's "Immaculate" during Beyond Fest at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on March 15, 2024, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends Met Gala celebrating "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends the premiere of "Eden" during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2024, in Toronto." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney attend CinemaCon 2025 on April 1, 2025, in Las Vegas." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025, in New York City." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on Sept. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney underwent a weeklong transformation before debuting her most shocking hairstyle yet. She arrived at the Oct. 25, 2025, "Christy" premiere during the annual AFI Fest sporting an icy blonde bob, her shortest 'do yet." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Sydney was looking for a change and wanted to have a big hair moment for the red carpet to support her new movie," hair colorist Jacob Schwartz told Vogue." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney made headlines after donning a sheer, silver, floor-length Christian Cowandress at Variety's 2025 Power of Women Los Angeles event, where she was an honoree, on Oct. 29, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney walks onstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the Nascar Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 2, 2025, in Avondale, Arizona." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney attends the 2025 GQ Men of the Year party at Chateau Marmont on Nov. 13, 2025 in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney attend the Los Angeles premiere of "The Housemaid" on Dec. 15, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney attend W Magazine's annual Best Performances Party at Chateau Marmont on Jan. 10, 2026, in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sydney Sweeney photos: Look back at the 'Euphoria' star's best looks, career
The Emmy-nominated star of"Euphoria"and"The White Lotus," Sydney Sweeney, has made a name for herself in prestige television, on silver screens in horror flicks or romantic comedies and as a fashion darling on red carpets like theMet Gala.Scroll through for more photos of her life and career.
The Hollywood vet, who landed her first big role as a teen soap star on "All My Children," eventually found stardom, and even other performers who also had star careers after not making the "Star Search" cut.
"I'm not alone in my club. I've found out that John Legend also did not make it on," says Gellar of Teigen's EGOT-winning husband. "So we have a support group now, and we help each other through the difficult times. But it shows that you can't give up on your dreams. It might take a while, but I wound up on 'Star Search.'"
"The Voice" coach Legend also gave some helpful advice to the judging newbie.
"He said to find your own voice. It has to be authentic," says Gellar, who says the show is unique. "We're looking for a star, not the most talented singer or model or dancer. It's just this combination of things that makes magic."
Gellar has the opportunity to bring out the enchanting sparkle in her outfits and daring heeled boots, despite the potential peril of tripping during live shows.
"It's just fun and silly excuse to wear the things you would never normally wear," says Gellar. "I'm scared every show that I'm going to be the one who falls."
During the live viewing, viewers worldwide can vote for their favorite performers in the global Netflix showcase, a reach that was never possible on the original.
"The viewers are the fourth judge," says Gellar. "I talk to Jelly and Chrissy about this all the time. I was in this industry for a long time before I performed for a worldwide audience. Every contestant on this show has that opportunity. That's huge."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Netflix 'Star Search' puts lethal heels on judge Sarah Michelle Geller
